“They were always loyal friends to me. Constance came to see me when she decided on her passing date. I tried to convince her to stay here with me, but she would not let Edgar go alone. She explained your needs to me and thought we might be able to help each other.”
“I don't seem to be getting anywhere on my own, working, and with my family's help, I've only managed to secure two years of university credits.”
“Yes, I have a similarly difficult issue. I am running out of time, and I have a delicate problem to solve. I want to show you a secret, and then we can discuss our arrangement further.”
“Of course,” I agreed. Priscilla took my hand and led me into the first chamber of the estate.
“We call this next room, Ville De Paris.” Ancient paintings of pastoral outdoor life lined the walls. Each work of art hung encased in a thick, clear box. We walked by two overly protective members of her house staff on the way through the room. Priscilla gave them both women reassuring touch as she led me further into the massive home.
The themed room was brightly lit with new solar shield windows and full canopy of tall trees and ferns. Green was the overwhelming theme. The chairs and tapestries were varying shades of the color green. The next interior chamber was well lit but less elaborately decorated. A spacious room with several defined sitting areas but it lacked the color and whimsy of the green entry.
We continued towards the center of the estate through several neatly appointed rooms until we reached a set of long hallways. It looked empty to the right, but the left hall was busy with hurried staff and opening and closing doors in a steady flow of activity.
“Well, this is it.” Priscilla took a deep breath and nodded to a woman guarding the busy hallway entrance. We entered a spacious bedroom filled with medical equipment and a sleeping middle-aged man. “This is my only son, William Joseph Eaton.”
I wasn't sure what I was supposed to say, or how I was expected to react. The young man was shirtless and wearing thick compression pants hooked to muscle stimulators. His chest and stomach were marked by scattered scars that had long since healed. Some of the marks looked surgical, while others looked like battle wounds.
Filtered sunlight poured into the room. The far wall was lined with planter boxes of fresh herbs. Warm mint and rosemary floated in the air with occasional hints of bleach. The linens were crisp white, and every surface looked meticulously maintained. Happy sounding instrumental music played just loud enough to serve as white noise, overcoming the bulk of the whirring and beeping sounds from the medical devices.
“How long has William been this way, Mrs. Eaton?” I asked in an effort to compose myself.
“Priscilla, please, Mrs. Eaton was widowed so long ago, I barely connect with the name,” she explained.
“Of course, Priscilla,” I copied, smiling.
“William has been bedridden for five years now. He was brought back from the European continent like this. Protector path did this to him, but it was his choice. He wanted to follow the Protectors out into the wasteful world to secure the peoples’ water.” Priscilla was nostalgic in her explanation. The pain her social standing kept her from expressing openly escaped in her shaky voice.
“I am so sorry. Do the doctors expect he will improve?”
“By law, his condition requires the family to stop advanced medical services after ninety days. I have not followed that law. As a result, I can’t retain an actual physician, but I do have a full staff trained to care for him.”
“I see. This must be a difficult matter for you to share with—anyone.” I walked the length of the bed. Each caretaker I passed cringed at my presence.
“Connie and Edgar helped me with my son when I couldn't trust anyone else. I feel I can trust you, Beryl. I won't live forever and as far as anyone knows—I am alone. Soon I will need to choose my day of passing, but I can't leave my William like this.”
“What is it you need me to do, Priscilla? How can I help you?”
“I would like you to marry my son, posthumously, of course. The world believes he is long dead. I also want a grandchild before I die and a binding promise that you will continue my son's care once I am gone. The entirety of my estate will fall to you and your child. You will have all the financial resources you could possibly need.”
“Priscilla, that is quite an offer,” I confessed.
“It requires you to use one of your marriage rights and one of your breeding rights, but it also requires you to break the law for the rest of his life. I have been willing to do this for my son, but I can't imagine anyone else would.”
“Can I take a few days to think this over. With Kar missing and my grandparent's recent ceremony, my family’s in bad shape. I don't want to add any more to the situation.”
“I'm delighted you would consider helping us, Beryl. You must understand, you cannot discuss the full truth with anyone, even your parents. This farse only works because everyone here is loyal to the Eaton family and doesn't speak of William in the present tense.”
“Of course, I do understand Priscilla, thank you for this opportunity. Can we meet again in a few days? I will have my answer for you then.”
“Yes, that is agreeable. I read to William every day at this time. Would you like to join us? I have a car standing by to take you home whenever you are ready.”
“I would love to, thank you. Sadly, there is nothing I can do to help find my sister. It's a
